Friday 18 December 2009 10.15 EST
First published on Friday 18 December 2009 10.15 EST

Three things seem certain from the Scottish Football Association's pursuit of Craig Levein. First, he cannot lose whether or not he accepts any offer to take charge of the Scotland national team. Secondly, it is now apparent that, whatever transpires, the manager is entering the closing stages of his tenure at Dundee United. Finally, when the SFA eventually sits across a table from Levein, the candidate will interview the office holders just as much as they seek answers from him.

The furore which has surrounded the SFA's approach to United for what it describes as a preliminary chat is, to a degree, surprising. It was inevitable that the SFA would contact the Tayside club at some point with the view of sounding out their manager.

Levein, whose credentials as a coach, talent-spotter and man-manager have increased year on year at Tannadice, was a leading contender to replace George Burley from day one. He has been the SFA's first port of call, which is notable and, despite their obvious assertions to the contrary, prompts the theory that the job is his should he want it.

That is far from a foregone conclusion. And in any case Levein has plenty to ponder. He admitted that he "loves" the cut and thrust of daily football management. Among the biggest decisions he would have to make is whether that is a routine he is willing to give up temporarily and at a relatively young age. He has never seemed the type to revel in cutting the ribbon at the opening of a supermarket or digging the turf where new five-a-side pitches will be built. Such affairs are part of the Scotland role.

Levein has always been closely involved with youth development. He has overhauled such a structure at United – to the delight of everyone involved – and, even when in charge of Hearts, would admit to signing players whom he thought "will play for the first team long after I have left this club".

It rankles with people at the SFA, and understandably so, but the basic level of youth talent in Scotland is low. Having a man in charge who appreciates and understands that can only be a plus. He is perfectly placed to assess the coaching of young players, something he has proved rather adept at himself.

Levein's own career path will also weigh heavily on his mind. He wants to test himself in England again. His period at Leicester City was unsatisfactory, largely on account of drastic cost-cutting which the 45-year-old believes he implemented without being handed the time to feel the benefits.

If Alex McLeish, who left Rangers after a highly successful time as manager, had to take the Scotland job to remain in football's limelight, what chance does Levein have of earning a move south on the basis of what he achieved in Dundee? McLeish and Levein were once international team-mates and the latter will have noted how his old pal gained a route to Birmingham City via Scotland's international team.

The suggestion that Levein would be high on Rangers' wanted list if and when Walter Smith departs Ibrox refuses to go away. Yet there are so many probables, improbables and unknowns related to that story that the Dundee United manager could not rely on such a situation transpiring.

He should have faith in his ability and presence to know he would not be subjected to the occasional ridicule which was bestowed on Burley and Berti Vogts. With Scotland at a low ebb, this is a decent time to take the team on. As Smith discovered when he replaced Vogts, a basic and pragmatic approach can revive fortunes almost overnight. Levein is a coach who follows such tactical logic.

If he spurns the SFA's advances, he would have lost nothing and gained everything in publicity alone from this story. The SFA's problem stems from the fact that it will hardly reflect well if Levein cannot be persuaded to take this job on. Smith has already declared himself a non-runner. Any other option would appear as a third-choice appointment.

The remaining cast list is far from awe-inspiring. Billy Davies – another, ironically, whom Rangers will cast their eyes towards – is surely one of many who are unaffordable. Other potentially available Scots either have patchy recent records or have been out of football too long to be viable options. And, please, spare us the prospect of Walter Zenga, Dan Petrescu, Nevio Scala or any other coach who wouldn't know Easter Road from the Easter Rising flying in to save the day. Yes, England and the Republic of Ireland have appointed foreign managers, but top-level ones with the salaries to match.

Levein's playing career, blighted and cut short by a serious knee injury, will play a strong part in his managerial motivation. He did not win a single winner's medal and collected only 16 Scotland caps. An outstanding centre-half who counted electric pace and an ability to play with both feet among his strongest attributes, he was destined for great things before fate had its say.